Published: Friday, April 4, 2014 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 12:40 a.m.

Dorman knew it needed a win to keep its playoff hopes alive in an already logjammed Region II-4A.

The Cavaliers kept pace with clutch hitting and a gutsy performance from starting sophomore pitcher Stone Pellegrino to edge crosstown rival Spartanburg 6-5 on Friday night at Dorman High School.

The Cavaliers improved to 4-5 in the region with the win. They are one of four teams with five region losses, including Spartanburg (7-6, 5-5).

“We've just got to take care of ourselves,” Dorman coach Matthew West said. “Any region win is big. It was good to see. It was the first time all year we've finally found a way to come back after being down. It's big for the boys. We knew we could do it, it was just a matter of when it would happen.”

The Cavaliers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a RBI sacrifice fly from Clemson signee Adam Renwick. However, Spartanburg would rally for a 3-1 lead in the fourth. Taylor Gung, Wesley Ward and Warren Bond each plated runs in the inning.

Dorman cut it to 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth as Derrick MacMillan drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk. Bond would come on in relief and record a strikeout to get the Vikings out of trouble.

The Cavaliers came right back in the fifth and took the lead for good as Nick Bryson doubled in two runs. He would later score to make it 5-3.

“We were overdue,” Bryson said. “We just got hits when we needed them. We just came in clutch. … We've just got to keep doing what we're doing and learn to play ahead.”

“That was huge,” West said of Bryson's double. “He's been hitting well with runners in scoring position most of the year.”

Grayland Fowler added a big insurance run for the Cavaliers in the sixth on a two-out single. He finished with two hits and also walked.

“We went with a hit-and-run,” West said. “Renwick did a great job covering (the runner) up and then moved him over by hitting the ball to the right side. We got him in. Grayland came up big.”

Pellegrino picked up the win, tossing five innings and surrendering three runs on eight hits with two strikeouts. Collin Morris finished the final two innings to pick up the save.

“I can rely on the guys behind me to make plays when I pitch,” Pellegrino said. “I have 100 percent faith in them to make plays, and it's an awesome feeling. It's a really big region win.”

The Vikings made it interesting by scoring two in the seventh. Chase Harper picked up an RBI on a grounder, and Zac Kollock plated a run on a two-out single. He was stranded at first as Morris ended the game with a strikeout.

“I'm happy with my guys,” Spartanburg coach Tom Myers said. “It's that time of year. Everybody just got done playing two weeks of three region games. Pitching is a little thin. Spring break can't get her quick enough. We're just going to have to grind it out. Everybody is in that boat. Hopefully we can get back on track.”

<p>Dorman knew it needed a win to keep its playoff hopes alive in an already logjammed Region II-4A.</p><p>The Cavaliers kept pace with clutch hitting and a gutsy performance from starting sophomore pitcher Stone Pellegrino to edge crosstown rival Spartanburg 6-5 on Friday night at Dorman High School.</p><p>The Cavaliers improved to 4-5 in the region with the win. They are one of four teams with five region losses, including Spartanburg (7-6, 5-5).</p><p>“We've just got to take care of ourselves,” Dorman coach Matthew West said. “Any region win is big. It was good to see. It was the first time all year we've finally found a way to come back after being down. It's big for the boys. We knew we could do it, it was just a matter of when it would happen.”</p><p>The Cavaliers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a RBI sacrifice fly from Clemson signee Adam Renwick. However, Spartanburg would rally for a 3-1 lead in the fourth. Taylor Gung, Wesley Ward and Warren Bond each plated runs in the inning.</p><p>Dorman cut it to 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth as Derrick MacMillan drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk. Bond would come on in relief and record a strikeout to get the Vikings out of trouble.</p><p>The Cavaliers came right back in the fifth and took the lead for good as Nick Bryson doubled in two runs. He would later score to make it 5-3.</p><p>“We were overdue,” Bryson said. “We just got hits when we needed them. We just came in clutch. … We've just got to keep doing what we're doing and learn to play ahead.”</p><p>“That was huge,” West said of Bryson's double. “He's been hitting well with runners in scoring position most of the year.”</p><p>Grayland Fowler added a big insurance run for the Cavaliers in the sixth on a two-out single. He finished with two hits and also walked.</p><p>“We went with a hit-and-run,” West said. “Renwick did a great job covering (the runner) up and then moved him over by hitting the ball to the right side. We got him in. Grayland came up big.”</p><p>Pellegrino picked up the win, tossing five innings and surrendering three runs on eight hits with two strikeouts. Collin Morris finished the final two innings to pick up the save.</p><p>“I can rely on the guys behind me to make plays when I pitch,” Pellegrino said. “I have 100 percent faith in them to make plays, and it's an awesome feeling. It's a really big region win.”</p><p>The Vikings made it interesting by scoring two in the seventh. Chase Harper picked up an RBI on a grounder, and Zac Kollock plated a run on a two-out single. He was stranded at first as Morris ended the game with a strikeout.</p><p>“I'm happy with my guys,” Spartanburg coach Tom Myers said. “It's that time of year. Everybody just got done playing two weeks of three region games. Pitching is a little thin. Spring break can't get her quick enough. We're just going to have to grind it out. Everybody is in that boat. Hopefully we can get back on track.”</p>